Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member is certainly correct that we do sit down and, as a government, negotiate socioeconomic agreements with big industry. We've done it with a couple of the diamond mines; a third one just recently completed. We look to do that with the Producers Group and the Aboriginal Pipeline Group in terms of oil and gas development. These are negotiations between our government and industry, and they speak to opportunities, benefits for northerners right across the territory. As it relates to access agreements or IBAs between regional groups and industry, we are not specifically involved in those negotiations and are not privy to them. We do get involved in the respect that we generally work toward helping local organizations build capacity. But, Mr. Speaker, I would certainly encourage industry and business to be willing to sit down and work with local people to make sure that there are meaningful, tangible local benefits, because obviously without those, businesses, I think, can expect resistance. Thank you.
Brendan Bell on Question 185-15(3): Benefits Agreements With Outfitters
In the Legislative Assembly on June 1st, 2004. See this statement in context.
Further Return To Question 185-15(3): Benefits Agreements With Outfitters
Question 185-15(3): Benefits Agreements With Outfitters
Item 6: Oral Questions
May 31st, 2004
Page 650
See context to find out what was said next.